Stage 2, Primer and Sealing the Surface
The next step, now that the area has been prepped, is to protect the bare metal and create a flawless surface for the colour coat.
To do this, we then carry out a series of steps, including, for instance:
The Primer Coats
Primer actually serves two key purposes: anti-corrosion protection and creating a perfectly flat canvas.
High-Build Primer Application
We will then apply several coats of high-build primer, which is a thick primer that fills any microscopic imperfections.
Specialist Oven Curing
The primed area of your BMW will then be baked in one of our specialist ovens to cure it quickly and perfectly.
Precision Flatting (Wet Sanding)
After curing, our car repair technicians undertake the key process of flatting (wet sanding) the primer block which is done using micro-fine abrasives to ensure the surface is absolutely level and smooth.
This step is then needed for you to achieve a mirror-like finish in the final stage.
Masking and Area Isolation
Then, to prevent overspray, the entire surrounding area of the BMW is masked off.
This even includes covering the windscreen, bonnet, boot, and wheels using specialised paper and tape, and isolating only the panel to be painted.
Now your car is ready to be moved on to the paint application stage.
Stage 3, The Paint Application
This is where the magic then starts to happen and where our manufacturer approval really comes through.
For instance, this is so because:
Colour Matching and Base Coat
A BMW’s paint layer is actually more complex than many would think, especially when it comes to metallic paint or effect paint finishes.
For instance, we do not just guess the shade, as we know that DIY solutions like touch-up paint kits, a paint pen, or a spray can can never replicate the factory finish, which is why we invest in scientific precision equipment.
That is why we use the exact paint code specific to your vehicle, which we can retrieve from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) data, to account for the unique way these finishes react to light.
Once we have this, we can start:
Scientific Colour Matching
Our paint technicians then use a highly sophisticated colour-matching system (often involving a spectrophotometer) to guarantee a flawless match, which can even account for the slight natural fading of the original paintwork as well.
Layering and Seamless Blending Stage
Next, the base coat - which is the layer that gives the car its colour - is applied in several thin, even layers.
Our technicians then make sure that the new paint is gradually blended into the existing, undamaged paintwork for an invisible transition for you.
Then, when that is done, we move on to the clear lacquer layer.
Applying the Clear Lacquer
The base coat then provides the colour, but the clear lacquer (or clear coat) provides the deep gloss, UV protection, and resistance to scratches.
This is then done over several stages, such as:
The Protective Top Layer and Deep Shine
This is the final, thick protective layer applied over the base coat, which gives your BMW its signature deep shine that you would expect back from a repair.
Baking to Factory Specification
The car is then immediately moved back into the specialist spray booth oven for curing at high temperatures.
This 'baking' then makes sure that the paint hardens correctly to factory specification.
Once it has, we then move on to the finishing touches stage.
Stage 4, The Finishing Touches and Quality Check
The repair of your BMW is now complete, but the job is not finished until it meets our exacting standards.
As a result, now your car goes through a few extra stages, including, for instance:
Polishing and Reassembly
It is now ready to be polished and ressabled. To do so, we then:
Inspection and Machine Polishing (AKA: Mopping)
After cooling, the painted area is then inspected. Any minor surface imperfections or dust nibs are then carefully removed by machine polishing (known as mopping).
This brings the new paintwork up to your flawless, deep-gloss shine.
Final Re-fitting of Trims and Fixtures
The final stage then involves carefully re-fitting all the original trims that we had to remove during the initial stage, such as your badges and lights, to get the car back to its glorious overall finish.
8Final Inspection and Valeting
Your BMW is now nearly ready, and to get it so, our team will then:
Final Quality Control Inspection
One of our senior quality control managers will then perform a detailed final inspection to ensure the repair is completely invisible and restored to the exact manufacturer specification.
Complimentary Valet Service
Then finally, when it has passed the tests, the car is given a complimentary valet to ensure it leaves our facility looking its absolute best, both inside and out.
How to Choose the Approved Specialists for Your BMW Paint Repair?
When your BMW needs paint repair, you really should not settle for less than manufacturer standards.
As specialist luxury car repairers, all of our work is backed by our Lifetime Guarantee and ensures your vehicle's anti-perforation warranty remains valid as well if you have one in place too.
So, if you have picked up a scratch or had an accident, simply contact us today to request an estimate or speak to one of our friendly team members.
How Do We Care for BMW Frozen (Matte) Paint?
If your BMW has a Frozen or matte finish, you already know it’s a stunning and unique look.
However, these surfaces are far more delicate and unforgiving than traditional gloss paint is, and the repair process is fundamentally different, and a simple mistake here really can ruin the finish permanently.
What Makes Matte Paint Different?
Here, BMW Matte paint works by scattering light instead of reflecting it, which is achieved by a unique top coat that is intentionally irregular and rough at a microscopic level.
You Cannot Polish It
Traditional gloss paint repair, as you can see above, involves polishing (or mopping) to blend the repair and create a high shine.
Doing this to a Frozen finish, though, will instantly create a shiny patch, permanently destroying the matte effect.
Touch-Ups Are Visible
Minor stone chip touch-ups are almost impossible to hide on matte paint as well because the clear coat is so specific to it.
When to Seek a Specialist
For any repair to a Frozen finish, from a scratch to a stone chip, you should always take it to an approved specialist like us here at M&A Coachworks, and do not attempt a DIY fix, as this really does require very specialist paint repair to be done flawlessly.
Full Panel Respray
For even minor damage here, the best - and often only - way to achieve an invisible repair on matte paint is to respray the entire panel.
This will then give you a perfect, uniform texture across the whole surface by doing so.
Exact Materials
For instance, here our specialists must use the exact OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) matte clear coat specified by BMW to get the finish right.
As getting the texture and flatness right is a highly technical skill that requires specific spray guns and dedicated booths.
Paint Maintenance
As for maintenance, you really want to avoid all wax and polish, and instead, you really want to use specific products like matte detail spray or ask us about ceramic coatings for matte finishes, which protect the unique clear coat without adding gloss, for instance.
What Not to Do?
There are also things that you can do on a daily basis to keep this paint looking good. For instance, common areas to avoid consist of:
Never Use Wax
Applying traditional car wax or polish will fill the microscopic texture, resulting in permanent shiny marks as a result.
Avoid Automated Car Wash Brushes
These are too abrasive and will quickly damage the unique very texture, leading to irreversible gloss patches, so you need to stick to gentle hand washing when cleaning the car as well.
Never Use Abrasive Tools
You also never want to use abrasive tools like clay bars or attempt to polish the finish yourself.
As traditional polishing will permanently destroy the matte texture, creating irreversible gloss patches.
Some Pro Tips On How You Can Look After Your BMW Paint From The Environment & Avoid Common Mistakes
You may be surprised to hear that it is not just accidents that harm your BMW’s beautiful finish; everyday life and the weather take their toll, too.
As a result, protecting your paint from external influences is also more than needed for extending its life and keeping that factory shine.
As a result, here are a few simple paint care tips you can take on to protect your car from nature’s worst:
Sun Exposure and UV Rays
The sun can be surprisingly harsh to your BMW, especially here in Britain when it does actually show up.
This is because the strong UV rays in sunlight break down the top coat (or clear lacquer) over time, causing the colour to fade and the finish to look dull as a result.
Due to this, some tips you can take on to help avoid this are, for example:
Parking Smart
Whenever possible, you always want to park your BMW in a garage or under cover, and if you have to leave it outside, try to find shade where you can.
Use a Car Cover
If you frequently park outside, investing in a high-quality, breathable car cover is also a really good way to shield your paint from direct sunlight and dust as well.
Wax Protection
A good quality wax is your paint's sun cream, and applying a layer of wax every few months can really provide you with a sacrificial barrier, protecting the BMW colour system beneath it as a direct result of doing so.
Bird Droppings and Other Corrosive Substances
Bird droppings, tree sap (which often includes honeydew), and road salt are highly corrosive.
In fact, they are often acidic and can eat right through the clear coat, leaving you with permanent marks or scratches on your paintwork as a result.
So, if you notice insect residue, you really want to use a dedicated insect remover or carry out spot cleaning immediately.
Act Fast
If you find bird droppings, never scrub them!
They are abrasive when dry, so you want to soak the area with water and a mild shampoo for a few minutes to soften them, then wipe gently with a soft cloth.
Regular Car Wash
You then need to keep to a regular car wash routine, especially in winter conditions when road salt is plentiful.
This, in turn, prevents corrosive grime from sitting on the paintwork for too long, causing you issues here as a result.
General Protection
Then you also have some general protection tips that you can use to get the most out of your car, such as for example:
Mind the Scratches
You always want to wash your car using a clean, soft wash mitt and the two-bucket method (one for soapy water, one for rinsing the mitt) to prevent rubbing grit back into the paint and causing swirl marks or minor scratches from then occurring.
Rinse Thoroughly
After washing, you should then rinse your car completely to ensure no soapy residue is left behind.
This residue can, for instance, attract contaminants and accelerate paint degradation if you do not do so.
How We Get The Factory Finish, Guaranteed to BMW Car Paint Repair Final Thoughts
So as you can see, restoring your BMW's paintwork is a fine art backed by approved science.
From the first key steps - precise panel shaping, flattening of the primer, and scientifically accurate colour matching - we really do make sure the repair is truly invisible.
So, by trusting M&A Coachworks with your BMW, you can really benefit from specialist knowledge and the correct, high-temperature curing process that guarantees the durability and depth of the finish that you deserve.
So, do not compromise your BMW's integrity with unapproved materials, and choose the experts who restore your vehicle to its original factory specification, complete with a reassuring Lifetime Guarantee on all paintwork as they do so as well.
If you enjoyed this, you may enjoy some of our other latest industry news and guides, such as:
Who is M&A Coachworks?
Here at M&A Coachworks, we are a high-end, prestigious, manufacturer-approved repairer that can offer many insurance-approved repair services specialist established in 1971 by Michael Dionisiou and Adonis Kyriacou.
Consequently, we have a large number of body repair shops across the UK that specialise in luxury cars and are recognised for our expertise in repairing high-end brands.
As a result, over the years, we have expanded from a single London location to multiple sites in Hertfordshire, Berkshire, and Snetterton, offering you services that range from accident repairs to detailing and paint protection.
Consequently, our technicians use the latest equipment and techniques, ensuring every vehicle is restored to its pre-accident condition according to manufacturer specifications. So contact us today if you want a professional car valet service and or a detailed finish to your car.